Managing time as a student can be overwhelming, but using five simple strategies—prioritization, time blocking, focus, follow-through, and energizing your work—makes a huge difference. These aren’t just theories of time management; I’ve personally applied them, and they work! 🚀
Ali Abdaal’s video on time management breaks it down into these five powerful strategies. Though he relates it more to his job, these principles are just as useful for us as students. So, let’s break them down in a way that actually makes sense for us! 😃
1️⃣ Prioritization: You Can’t Do Everything 🎯
In school, I realized that I couldn’t do everything. It took me a while to accept that, just like everyone else, I only had 24 hours in a day.
👉 To manage my workload, I had to prioritize effectively. One thing that really helped me was figuring out which subjects needed more attention and focusing my energy there. Sometimes, that meant skipping a topic that wouldn’t really be tested and mastering the ones that would.
2️⃣ Time Blocking: Scheduling Your Success 📆
Before I discovered Notion, I relied on Google Calendar to plan my days. It was simple and effective! Even now, I use both—Google Calendar for quick scheduling and Notion when I need more details.
💡 If you’re new to time management, Google Calendar is a great place to start. It worked for me, and it can work for you! Try blocking out time for studying, breaks, and even fun—it helps keep everything balanced.
3️⃣ Focus: Single-Tasking Over Multitasking 🔥
I used to think multitasking was the key to getting more done. But I was so wrong! 😵💫 I realized that single-tasking is far more effective—especially for deep work.
For example, when cooking, I sometimes listen to podcasts because cooking doesn’t require too much thought. But when I tried to study while watching TV or scrolling on my phone, I ended up taking twice as long.
📌 Pro Tip: Pay attention in class! Many students lie to themselves, saying they’ll go over the material later, but if you focus in class, you reduce the time needed for revision. Sometimes, I focused so well that right after a lecture, I could solve past questions immediately! 🤯
4️⃣ Follow-Through: Keeping Yourself Accountable ✅
One thing that really helped me follow through on my plans was telling people what I was going to do.
👀 The moment you tell others, there’s this (healthy) pressure to actually make it happen—because now, people expect it. It pushes you to deliver.
💡 Many students use accountability partners in group studies, and it really works. Knowing someone else is counting on you keeps you on track!
5️⃣ Energizing Your Work: The Right Mindset Changes Everything 💡
Your mindset can completely change how you approach your studies.
I remember an assignment in Genetics (during a time I was studying Biochemistry at KNUST) where we had to cut out chromosome pieces and arrange them from 1 to 23. It was tedious and annoying, and I kept procrastinating.
😩 But then I decided to see it as a fun, hands-on project, and suddenly, I actually enjoyed it!
💡 That shift in mindset made all the difference, and it taught me that when you find ways to enjoy your work, it becomes easier and more rewarding.
🚀 Final Thoughts
Time management isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things at the right time. These strategies have worked for me, and I know they can work for you too!
🔗 ▶ Watch the Video Here:
https://youtu.be/tpB3BMlNrno?si=k8EnLh4_8Zp_EUWt
✨ The best students don’t study harder—they study smarter! Try these tips and let me know how they work for you! 😃📚🔥
Learn more about time management here: Finding Your Best Study Time – The Seret to Studying Smart
#TimeManagement #StudentProductivity #StudyTips #FocusAndDiscipline #EfficientStudying
